Record Number of US Senators Call For Permanent Protection for Arctic Refuge

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced a bill to designate the Coastal Plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness, affording it the highest level of federal protection for public lands. In response, the National Audubon Society issued the following statement:

“The Arctic Refuge is a stunning, unique American treasure, which supports millions of birds that migrate to all fifty states”, said Brian Moore, Deputy Director of Government Relations for the National Audubon Society. “This is a truly extraordinary place that deserves permanent protection.”

The Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge is the most biologically productive habitat in the area, providing a home to over 200 species of birds, many of which later migrate to not only all 50 states but also every other continent on earth. The Arctic Tern, in fact, makes the longest migration of any animal on the planet, going from the high Arctic to the Antarctic. Wilderness designation will protect these birds and other wildlife from damage caused by oil drilling, road construction and other industrial operations. The bill introduced by Senators Bennet and Markey will provide alternatives to drilling in the biologically sensitive Coastal Plain.

For more information on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including a list of Arctic Refuge birds found in each US state, please click here.

The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.

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Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, 212-979-3068